Venetian Plastering Training for Canterbury

Venetian plastering training for Canterbury decorators and plasterers is taught at the Zavoré Academy in Birmingham. Nothing runs in Canterbury itself, so you make the trip to Birmingham for three or four days and carry the skill home to Kent.

It is a good fit if you paint and decorate period property, plaster for a living and want to add a finish that stands out, design interiors, or want a hands on craft after a different career. No prior experience is needed to start.

Decorative plaster and period buildings in Canterbury

Canterbury is a cathedral city with a medieval street pattern, and the age of its buildings is what makes decorative plastering relevant. Anyone working on old property here meets walls that were never built to be sealed in modern paint.

In and around the historic centre you will find timber framed buildings, Georgian and Victorian terraces and former merchant houses. Villages and towns nearby, such as Faversham and Whitstable, add weatherboarded cottages and more period homes. Older walls like these usually need a breathable finish, and lime based Marmorino is a natural choice because it lets moisture move through the wall instead of trapping it.

The city also has a large student population, thanks to the universities, and a busy visitor trade. That means plenty of hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars and rental properties where a distinctive wall helps a business stand out. Polished plaster in a restaurant or a tadelakt finish in a bathroom can lift a room well beyond what paint can do.

If you already decorate in Kent, adding Venetian plaster means you can accept the enquiries you might currently turn down, and charge appropriately for skilled work.

Comparing the three courses

The Beginner Course teaches the foundations, the Advanced Course extends them, and 1 to 1 Training lets you design your own programme. Each day is 10am to 5pm at the Academy.

• Beginner Course for 3 days at £750 per person, with no experience required.
• Advanced Course for 4 days at £1,200 per person, for those who have completed the Beginner Course or who work on site.
• 1 to 1 Training for 3 days, open to any level and shaped around what you want to learn, at £1,500.

If you are starting out, the Beginner Course is where to begin. You study how plaster behaves, prepare surfaces and build a wall in layers, and finish with Marmorino, polished plaster and metallics. People who have done the first course, and site workers, can move on to the Advanced Course, which includes stencil work, vein work and blending colours and waxes. The 1 to 1 Training suits people with a specific project, such as an artificial rock feature or a liquid metal finish, in mind.

For a deeper look at what each day involves, read inside the Advanced Course, and check the training page for dates or to register interest.

Getting from Kent to Birmingham

Students travel to the Academy by train or by car. Birmingham is central in England, and a course of three or four days means you will want to arrange somewhere to stay.

Zavoré has a partner rate at a hotel near the Academy, and you can claim it by quoting Zavoré when you book. If you would like to be met, airport or station pickup can be arranged with the booking, with the price depending on where you arrive. Lunch and refreshments come with every seat.

Using the skill back in Canterbury

You go home with your finished panels, a Zavoré certificate and trade pricing on Zavoré materials. You also join a private course group with a helpline for life, which is useful on a first solo job. Advanced students receive help to find, price and win their first paid decorative job.

To see how Zavoré approaches installations, look at Venetian plastering in Canterbury. You can order plaster through the shop with tracked UK delivery, and our guide to training for decorators, plasterers and teams is worth reading if you run a small firm.

Questions about Venetian plastering training for Canterbury

Is there Venetian plastering training in Canterbury?

No. The courses are taught at the Zavoré Academy in Birmingham, and students from Canterbury and the rest of Kent travel there.

Is Venetian plaster suitable for old timber framed or Georgian homes?

Lime based finishes such as Marmorino are often chosen for older solid walls because they are breathable. The Beginner Course covers how the materials behave and how a wall is built up, so you learn why that matters.

Can I take a course if I have never plastered before?

Yes. The Beginner Course is designed for people with no experience.

Can my team train together?

Yes. Each course takes up to six students, so a small team can book seats together. Call 07592 929191 to arrange it.

To reserve a bench, phone 07592 929191 or email sales@zavore.co.uk. Half the price holds your place, with the rest paid on the day, or you can book online and pay in full. See the training page for dates.